Baby Bargains : Secrets to Saving 20% to 50% on Baby Furniture, Equipment, Clothes, Toys, Maternity Wear and Much, Much More!

by Denise Fields; Alan Fields

• ISBN13: 9781889392004
• ISBN10: 1889392006
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-04-01
• Publisher: Ingram Pub Services

Summary

Wow! A baby book that actually answers the big question about having a baby: How am I going to afford all this? With the average cost of a baby topping $6600 for just the first year alone, you need creative solutions and innovative ideas to navigate the consumer maze that confronts all parents-to-be. Baby Bargains is the answer! Inside, you'll discover: The best Web sites that offer the biggest discounts! Name brand reviews of car seats, bedding, strollers, high chairs, diapers and more! Five wastes of money with baby clothes and the best outlet bargains. Seven tips to saving money on cribs, plus in-depth reviews of crib brands. The truth about strollers-and which brands work best in the real world. The seven most ridiculous baby products. Dozens of safety tips to affordably baby proof your home. Detailed charts that compare brands of cribs, strollers, car seats and more! Book jacket.

Author Biography

Authors Denise and Alan Fields are consumer advocates who've been featured on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America and Dateline NBC. Their books include the best-selling paperbacks Bridal Bargains, The Bridal Gown Guide and Your New House. They live in Boulder, CO with their sons, Ben and Jack.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1 "It's going to change your life"	1	(5)
The Four Truths That No One Tells You About Buying Stuff for Baby	1	(1)
What Does a Baby Cost For the First Year?	2	(1)
Reality Check: How Much You Can Save	3	(1)
What? There's No Advertising in this Book?	4	(1)
So, Who Are You Guys?	5	(1)
Let's Go Shopping!	6	(1)
What's new in this edition?	6	(1)
Chapter 2 Nursery Necessities: Cribs, Dressers & More	6	(48)
The Downside of Waiting Until the Last Minute	6	(2)
CRIBS	8	(33)
The Four Basic Sources	8	(2)
The Four Essential Parts to A Nursery	10	(1)
"Baby Buying Frenzy" and Two More Shopper Tips	11	(3)
Reviews & Ratings of 24 Crib Brands	14	(7)
Certifications: Do They Really Matter?	21	(7)
E-mail: Ready-to-Assemble Furniture	28	(1)
The Old Crib Trap and Four Other Safety Tips	29	(3)
Recalls: Where to Find Information	32	(1)
Six Money-Saving Secrets	32	(2)
Best Buys: Four Baby Mega-Stores	34	(4)
The Costo Outlet	38	(1)
Convertible Cribs and Three Other Wastes of Money	38	(1)
E-mail: Sears vs. JCPenney	39	(1)
Do it By Mail: The Best Catalogs for Baby Furniture	40	(1)
MATTRESSES	41	(3)
"Coil Overkill" and Two More Smart Shopping Tips	41	(2)
Top Picks Brand Recommendations	43	(1)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Soft Bedding	44	(1)
Dressers & Changing Tables	44	(1)
Do you need a separate changing table?	44	(2)
Nursery in a Closet: NYC Parents Make Do with Less	46	(1)
The Name Game: Reviews & Ratings	47	(1)
Nix the Knobs and Other Safety Tips	48
DRESSERS & CHANGING TABLES	44	(5)
FOUR MORE ITEMS FOR THE NURSERY	49	(4)
The Bottom Line: Save $1000 With Our Tips	53	(1)
Chapter 3 Baby Bedding	54	(33)
Four Sources for The Best Quality and Prices	54	(1)
More than Sheets: The Four Basic Bedding Pieces	55	(2)
E-Mail: Sheet Savers Make for Easy Changes	57	(1)
Looking for Mr. Good Bedding: Nine Shopper Tips	58	(1)
Reviews & Ratings of 30 Top Bedding Designers	59	(13)
Electric Blanket Warning and Five More Safety Tips	72	(2)
Skipping the Quilt and Seven More Money-Saving Secrets	74	(1)
E-Mail: Do-It-Yourself Baby Bedding	75	(1)
Best Buy: Mail Order Source Saves 20% to 50% off	76	(1)
Four Outlets For More Savings	77	(1)
Diaper Stackers and 6 More Wastes of Money	78	(1)
Winnie the Pooh at a Discount	79	(2)
Twelve Mail-Order Catalogs	81	(5)
The Bottom Line: Our Budget Saves You $800 to $900	86	(1)
Chapter 4 The Reality Layette: Little Clothes for Little Prices	87	(82)
When to Start Stocking Up on Clothes & Diapers	87	(1)
Seven Basic Sources	88	(2)
Garage & Yard Sales: Eight Tips for the Best Bargains	90	(1)
BABY CLOTHES	91	(35)
What Is a Layette?	92	(1)
E-mail: How Much Laundry?	93	(1)
The Baby Bargains Layette	93	(1)
From Sleepers to Snowsuits: 14 Clothing Items Defined	93	(4)
Beware of Appliques and 8 Other Smart Shopper Tips	97	(1)
Reviews & Ratings of 21 Clothing Brands	98	(1)
One Size Does Not Fit All	99	(6)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	105	(21)
Flame Retardant Sleepwear and 3 Other Safety Tips	106	(1)
Second Hand Bargains and 9 More Money-Saving Tips	107	(3)
Carter's and 17 Other Clothing Outlets	110	(6)
The Fuzz Factor: Five Wastes of Money	116	(4)
13 Great Mail-Order Clothing Catalogs	120	(6)
DIAPERS	126	(18)
The Great Diaper Debate	126	(2)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	128	(2)
Buy in Bulk and Six Other Money-Saving Secrets	130	(1)
Mail Order Sources for Cloth Diapers and Supplies	131	(2)
I Dream of the Diaper Genie	133	(1)
The Bottom Line: Slash your clothing and diaper costs by $200 to $300	144
Chapter 5 Maternity/Nursing Clothes & Feeding Baby	136	(34)
MATERNITY & NURSING CLOTHES	136	(18)
Getting Started: When Do You Need Maternity Stuff?	136	(1)
Eight Surprising Sources	137	(1)
Your Pregnant Wardrobe: How Much Will You Need?	138	(1)
Maternity Bras for the Real World	139	(2)
Battling Your Wacky Thermostat	141	(1)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations--Undergarments	141	(2)
Reviews & Ratings of Maternity Chain Stores	143	(2)
"Orange You Going to Wear Hose?"	145	(2)
The Large Lady Trick & 9 Other Money-Saving Tips	147	(2)
E-Mail: Two Thumbs Up for Eddie Bauer	149	(1)
Three Outlets for Maternity Clothes	150	(1)
Do it By Mail: Three Mail Order Catalogs	151	(2)
E-Mail: Three Pregnancy Workout Videos	153	(1)
BREASTFEEDING	154	(10)
Breastfeed and save $500	154	(1)
The Biggest Misconception about Breastfeeding	155	(1)
Six Sources for Help	156	(2)
The Best and Worst Breast Pumps	158	(4)
Breastfeeding in Public: Four Tips and Advice	162	(2)
FORMULA	164	(1)
Formula for Disaster: Soy Milk Confusion	165	(1)
BOTTLES	164	(2)
Formula: Modern Convenience or Sinister Conspiracy?	166	(2)
The Bottom Line: How to Save Over $700	168	(2)
Chapter 6 Around the House: Baby Monitors, Toys, Bath, Foods, High Chairs, and Swings	170	(35)
Bath-time Necessities	170	(1)
Four More Items for the Baby's Room	171	(2)
Toys: Eight Classics	173	(3)
Avoid Walkers and Six Other Toy Safety Tips	176	(1)
Eight Money Saving Tips	177	(2)
Fancy Burp Pads and Four Other Wastes of Money	179	(1)
MONITORS	180	(8)
Bugging Your House and Three Other Shopping Tips	180	(2)
Reviews & Ratings of Six Brands	182	(3)
Video Monitors: Do You Need a Surveillance Camera	185	(3)
BABY FOOD	188	(6)
Meal Time Accessories	188	(1)
Reviews & Ratings of Six Brands	189	(3)
Taste Tests and Three Other Safety Hints	192	(1)
Heinz and Five More Money-Saving Tips	192	(2)
HIGH CHAIRS	194	(9)
Smart Shopper Tips: Basic Features and More	194	(1)
Reviews & Ratings of 10 Brands	195	(1)
Hook-on Chairs and Booster Seats	196	(2)
Baby Tenda: Anatomy of a Hard Sell	198	(3)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	201	(1)
Strap Me In and Five Other Safety Tips	202	(1)
SWINGS: GODSEND OR NEGLECT-O-MATIC?	203	(1)
PLAYPENS: THE BEST BETS	203	(1)
The Bottom Line	204	(1)
Chapter 7 Places to Go! Car Seats, Strollers, Carriers & More	205	(54)
Getting Started & 5 Sources to Find Car Seats/Strollers	205	(1)
CAR SEATS	206	(19)
One Size Does NOT Fit All and 9 More Smart Tips	206	(3)
Seven Safety Tips	209	(1)
HOw to Find Recall Info	210	(1)
Are Lax U.S. Safety Standards Endangering Your Baby?	211	(5)
Reviews & Ratings of 10 Top Brands	216	(7)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	223	(1)
A Free Car Seat and Three Other Money-Saving Secrets	224	(1)
STROLLERS	225	(26)
The Six Types of Strollers	226	(2)
What Features Do You Really Need?	228	(3)
Reviews & Ratings: The 15 Best & Worst Brands	231	(12)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	243	(4)
Untrustworthy Brakes and More Safety Advice	247	(1)
Stroller Overkill and Six Other Money-Saving Secrets	248	(2)
Silly Stroller Accessories & Other Wastes of Money	250	(1)
Discount Mail Order Source	250	(1)
THE WELL-STOCKED DIAPER BAG	251	(4)
Make Your Own	251	(1)
Top 9 Items for a Well Stocked Diaper Bag	252	(1)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	253	(2)
CARRIERS	255	(1)
Eating-Out Tips: Mastering the Surgical Strike	256	(2)
The Bottom Line	258	(1)
Chapter 8 Affordable Baby Proofing	259	(13)
Murphy's Law of Baby Proofing	259	(1)
Smart Baby Proofing Tips	259	(1)
General: Covering the Outlets and Mini-Blind Cords	260	(1)
Bathroom: Toilet Locks, Tub Spouts & Medicines	261	(1)
Kitchen: Dishwasher as Toyland and Stove Guards	262	(1)
Living Rooms: Plants, VCRs & Coffee Table Bumpers	262	(1)
Bedrooms: Clearing the Dresser Table	263	(1)
Four Money-Saving Tips	263	(2)
How Safe is Safety 1st?	265	(1)
Four Mail-Order Catalogs for Baby Proofing Products	265	(2)
Three Wastes of Money	267	(1)
The Baby First Aid Kit: Fourteen Key Items	268	(2)
Top 10 Safety "Must-Haves"	270	(1)
The Bottom Line	271	(1)
Chapter 9 The Best Gifts for Baby	272	(11)
The Top 12 Best Gifts for Baby	272	(3)
Runners-up: Gymfinity, Wipe Warmer and Baby Swing	275	(1)
Five Great Gifts for New Moms & Dads	275	(1)
Walkers, Baby Flatware and more Gift "Don'ts"	276	(1)
The Seven Most Ridiculous Baby Products	277	(2)
ANNOUNCEMENTS	279	(4)
Five Money Saving Secrets	279	(1)
Reviews & Ratings of Nine Top Brands	280	(1)
Adoption Announcements	281	(2)
Chapter 10 Etcetera: Books, Web Sites, Child Care & More	283	(13)
Our Favorite Parenting Books	283	(6)
Twins Magazine: Advice for Parents of Multiples	289	(1)
Parents in Cyberspace: 8 Ways to Use the Internet	289	(2)
CHILD CARE	291	(5)
The Three Basic Options for Child Care	291	(1)
Dependent Care Accounts & 3 More Money-Savers	292	(1)
10 Question to Ask a Child Care Provider	293	(3)
Chapter 11 Do it By Mail: The Best Mail-order Catalogs for Clothes, Baby Products, and More	296	(15)
Ten Tips For Smart Catalog Shopping	296	(2)
General Catalogs: A Little Bit of Everything	298	(4)
Announcements: Classic Designs to Contemporary Cards	302	(2)
Bedding: Sheets, Blankets and Comforters	304	(1)
Clothing: 11 of the Best Clothing Catalogs	304	(2)
Maternity & Nursing: Bras, Career Clothes and More	306	(1)
Safety: Outlet Covers, Gates and Much More	307	(1)
Toys & Entertainment: Rattles, Music, Blocks & Puzzles	307	(4)
Chapter 12 Conclusion: What Does It All Mean?	311	(1)
Your Baby's First Year: Average Costs vs. Our Baby Bargains Budget	311	(1)
Our Parting Advice	311	(1)
Appendix Canada: Car Seat Info, Cribs and More	312
Additional Canadian Car Seat Safety Requirements	312	(1)
Sources for More Safety Info	313	(1)
Recap of Canadian Sources	313	(6)
About the Authors	319	(2)
Index	321	(23)
Our Other Books	344